Paleopathology and Osteobiography of the People of Peñuelas, Chile's

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Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Vol. 101(Suppl. II): 85-95, 2006 85 Paleopathology and osteobiography of the people of Peñuelas, Chile’s semiarid north Maria Araya Rosado+, Jessica Vernacchio-Wilson

Department of Geography and Anthropology, Rowan University, 201 Mullica Hill Rd., Glassboro, NJ 08028, US The Museo de La Serena, IV Region, Chile has collections of skeletal remains representing the agricultural Diaguita people of 500 years ago excavated in the 1980s from the sites Peñuelas 21 and 24, Chile’s semiarid north. Their excellent preservation has permitted an osteobiographical and radiographic analysis to better understand the patterns of the disease. This research continues the osteological analyses begun in 1989 by Rosado that seek to understand the impact the transition to and adoption of farming had on the health of prehistoric populations. Because of the significance of paleopathology in the understanding of cultural and biological adaptations, it has also become necessary to assess the preservation status and design a conservation protocol to protect and document the remains. The objectives of this communication are to: establish demographic patterns of the skeletal samples and identify and diagnose skeletal paleopathologies via photography and radiographs. Intentional cranial alteration, limb and cranial fractures, dental wear, and dental abscesses and caries are among the interesting paleopathologies so far documented. Intentional cranial alteration is very common and is manifested as tabular erect in both males and females. The high frequency of carious lesions indicates a diet that emphasized carbohydrates. Skeletal radiographs are available for several of the individuals in the sample and this has afforded a more detailed description of the paleopathologies originally documented via photography.

Key words: osteology - osteobiography - paleopathology - demography

Chile’s semiarid north is well known for its excellently are of continued benefit and needed in this region of Chile preserved osteological collections that covers a period of because of ongoing excavations (Biskupovic 1999), which at least 3000 years and are elaborately documented yield more skeletal remains of different time periods; and through archaeology. Among these collections are those because they facilitate a more complete reconstruction of representing the Diaguita culture excavated in the early life patterns and cultural adaptation, still largely unknown 1980s from Peñuelas (sector 21 and sector 24); a littoral for the archaeological populations represented. site that has yielded human and animal skeletal remains Because of the significant archaeological value in dated to approximately 600 years ago. The sample repre- paleopathological investigations and the possibility af- sents a farming, pastoralist, and maritime people who forded by the excellent preservation of the skeletal collec- settled Chile’s semiarid’s north over a thousand years ago tions at the Museo de La Serena to document human dis- (Biskupovic 1982, Ampuero 1989). The rather intact pres- eases in the prehistoric past, it has also become neces- ervation of the remains has permitted an osteobiographical sary to examine the skeletal remains for preservation sta- documentation and identification of paleopathological tus, design a conservation protocol, and design a skeletal conditions which is available in a database housed at the registry and database to better protect and document the Museo de La Serena. This database is currently used as remains respectively. This protocol has become an inte- baseline information to understand biological and cultural gral part of any physical anthropology investigation car- adaptations of prehistoric people of Chile’s littoral. ried out at the Museo de La Serena. Of much consideration to the archaeologists interested The Peñuela’s sample’s excellent preservation can be in this region is to understand the health patterns among largely attributed to the semiarid north’s littoral climate prehistoric populations of the semiarid littoral and the that is temperate, or classified as Mediterranean. The an- impact on health resulting from farming subsistence ac- nual rainfall is 1-6 inches and its mean annual temperature tivities. Paleopathology (Ortner & Putschar 1885, Rob- is 59°F. Thus, the skeletal remains are buried in soils that erts & Manchester 1999, Mays 2000) offers reasonably do not experience alternating extreme levels of moisture useful indicators about level of health by identifying dis- and temperatures. In addition, the soil pH is neutral. These eases in the past, their demographic patterns, and fre- taphonomic conditions are conducive to preservation of quencies among archaeological populations practicing the organic remains, including human and animal bones. varying subsistence strategies. Paleopathology studies The skeletal remains were excavated by Biskupovic (1982-1985) and Biskupovic and Ampuero (1989) from the littoral site of Peñuelas in Chile’s Region IV which forms part of the semiarid north. The littoral is characterized by low coastal mountains and valleys and rivers that con- nect the high Andes to the coast, resulting in a very rug- +Corresponding author: [email protected] ged topography. Contributing to this topography is the Received 20 July 2006 constant tectonic activity. It is not uncommon in the semi- Accepted 16 October 2006 arid north for four or five years to pass without any pre- 86 Paleopathology and osteobiography of Peñuelas • MA Rosado, J Vernacchio-Wilson cipitation. The vegetation, therefore, is sparse and the valleys are populated by xeromorphic plant species that include many varieties of cacti. The objectives of this study are to: (a) conduct an osteological analysis for identification and diagnosis of paleopathologies ; (b) expand the existing osteology and paleopathology database, and skeletal registry housed at the Museo de la Serena (uses the programs Lotus Ap- proach and Microsoft Excel); (c) determine sex and age for demographic analysis; and d) measure long bones for stature determination. MATERIALS AND METHODS The osteological analysis comprises a skeletal blank that identifies the skeleton’s site, sex, age, bones, number of bones per skeleton, and the state of preservation for each bone. The identification of state of preservation for each bone includes the categories: complete, incomplete, complete and broken, absent, and postmortem erosion. This also registers the side and number of bones present for each anatomical section, as well as descriptions of any anomalies and paleopathologies. A digital camera is Fig. 1: frontal view, adult female, 45-50 years. Bar = 3 cm. used to photograph the bones and radiographs were also taken of bones with anomalies. With this system we are able to develop a bone- by- bone registry and a data base of anomalous conditions that include information on dental and skeletal paleopathologies, dental wear, occupational conditions, and artificial cranial deformation. The age and sex of the individuals was ascertained by using gross osteological markers as described by Bass (1995) and Steele and Bramblett (1988). Characteristics used to determine subadult age include dental eruption, basilary suture, and epiphyseal union of long bones. Char- acteristics used to determine adult age include age related changes of the pubic symphysis, dental eruption of third molars, dental wear, epiphyseal union of long bones, union of sacral vertebras, osteoarthritic changes, and clo- sure of cranial sutures. Anatomical characteristics of the pelvis and cranium, and in some cases specific measure- ments of bones, such as the glenoid fossa of the scapula and head of femur, were used to assign sex. The pelvis provided the most reliable traits for determining sex. Fig. 2: sagittal view, adult female, 45-50 years. Bar = 3 cm. Stature was determined for adults with available complete femora. Although other long bones were available and were measured, the femora were used for the stature calculations. These provide more accurate stature determination according to Bass (1995). The formula used for the femur (in cm) given by Bass for Mongoloid populations is: 2.15 femur + 72.57 ± 3.80. RESULTS Overall, the osteobiographical analysis of the sample indicate the individuals in the Peñuelas sample to be brachycephalic, of orthognathous faces with projecting zygomatics, wide noses, rounded chin, rounded dental arch, and shovel shaped incisors. These traits are consistent (Figs 1, 2, 3) with those found in peoples of Mongol- oid ancestry, including the American Indians. The dental remains display moderate to severe dental wear, particularly of the premolars and molars. Fig. 3: superior view of mandible, adult female, 45-50 years. Bar = The minimum number of individuals identified is 41 3 cm. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Vol. 101(Suppl. II), 2006 87

(Fig. 4), with several reaching their third, fourth, fifth, and sixth decades. The skeletal age ranges, as well as the sex, were ascertained with certainty because the various osteological markers for age and sex determination were available. Fig. 5 illustrates the minimum number of individuals distributed by sex (sample size by sex). Tables I and II illustrate the distribution of known and unknown sex. The unknown category includes the 11 subadults in the sample, therefore, 27% of this sample is not achieving adulthood. In Fig. 6 the age categories clearly show that, for the exception of two subadult individuals of unknown sex, the sample is made up of adults in their third through sixth decade. There were no infants represented in the sample. More females die in their third and fourth decades. These are the child bearing years and the higher frequency of age at death compared to males may be due to death during childbirth. The male and female statures in Table III indicate sexual dimorphism in this respect. However, the differences between the sexes need to be tested for significance and on n: 41; M: male; F: female; U: unknown; n: sample size a larger sample. A future study on stature will generate stature estimation tables and formulas proper to popula- Fig. 5: sample size by sex. tions of this region currently not available.

n (sample size): 30; sex not determinable for four adult individuals; F: female; M: male; U: unknown Fig. 6: adult frequency of age by sex.

TABLE II Distribution of unknown sex Age range in yaers n unknown sex n (sample size): 41 (minimum number of individuals in the sample) 0-9 10 10-17 1 Fig. 4: age distribution. 18+ 4 n: sample size.

TABLE I Sample size by sex To understand the impact of diet on the teeth the frequency of dental pathologies and degree of wear was Sex n (sample size) % determined. Caries, abscesses, periodontal disease, den- Male 10 24.4 tal hypoplasia, antemortem tooth loss, and calculus for- Female 16 39 mation were observed (Figs 9, 10, 11, 12). Fig. 7 illustrates Unknown 15 36.5 the frequency of dental paleopathologies observed. There 88 Paleopathology and osteobiography of Peñuelas • MA Rosado, J Vernacchio-Wilson

TABLE III Adult stature Adult Males (in cm) Adult Females (in cm) – 161.23 – 157.80 – 162.90 – 151.52 – 163.52 – 158.44 – 163.04 – 156.90 – 162.60 – 165.30 Range: 161.23-165.30 Range: 151.52-158.44 Formula used for the femur (in cm), from Bass (1995); Mongoloid: 2.15 femur + 72.57 ± 3.80; six male and four female with available paired femora were measured.

were 27 available dentitions of adults and subadults for analysis, each with paired maxillas and mandibles. The n (sample of dentitions available): 27; Per.Dis: periodontal disease; AMTL: total affected by dental pathologies is 17, or 63% of the ante mortem tooth loss; Dent. Hypo: dental hypoplasia sample. Two subadults, between 8 and 12 years of age, Fig. 7: frequency of dental pathologies. were affected by paleopathologies, but only caries; 17 adult individuals in the sample display clear cases of carious lesions. The lesions have destroyed the dentine and dentine is exposed and the patch is extensive, and the a few are clearly associated with abscess formation in the cusp pattern is obliterated; 8 individuals have a moderate periapical region of the tooth affected by the caries. There form of dental wear. These individuals’ crowns are some- are 9 individuals with abscesses. In several cases the ab- what obliterated and the dentine patch is minimal. The scess was severe enough that they penetrated the maxil- dental wear pattern for this sample is age dependent, with lary sinus. Carious lesions begin to appear by the second the molars and premolars being the most affected by se- decade and abscesses by the third decade. The frequency vere wear starting in the second decade. of the dental paleopathologies observed is moderate to Cranial and postcranial paleopathologies-were identi- high and consistent with many published reports on the fied. Table IV indicates the bone pathologies observed health status of sedentary, farming populations. (Cohen with the minimum number of individuals affected. Osteoar- & Armelagos 1984, Swedlund & Armelagos1990, Rosado thritis, particularly of the vertebras, has the highest fre- 1998). quency, with the lumbar region being the most affected. There are 29 mandibles and maxillas available for den- Radiographs enable more accuracy in establishing cor- tal wear analysis (Fig. 8). The total number of individuals rect diagnosis. Dr Morrie Kricun of the University of Penn- affected by dental wear is 21 and 20 are adults. Of the sylvania, reviewed the radiographs taken for some of the adults, 12 individuals display a severe degree of wear individuals with clear markers of pathology. This helped (grades 7 and 8 in Figs 10 and 12). In these cases the us correlate the pathology markers evident in the radio-

Wear Grade Categories, after Schmucker (1985) 1: unworn 2: wear facets minimal 3: cusp pattern obliterated 4: dentine patch, minimal 5: dentine patch, extensive 6: secondary dentine 7: crown (enamel) worn, root visible 8: roots functioning at occlusal level

Fig. 8: number of individuals affected by dental wear (grade category). Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Vol. 101(Suppl. II), 2006 89

Fig. 12: ante mortem tooth loss, alveolus absorved; and dental wear (grades 7 and 8, cusp pattern obliterated, roots functioning at occlusal level). Bar: 3 cm.

Fig. 9: abscess (left maxillary PM1). Bar: 3cm. TABLE IV Frequency of paleopathologies; minimum number of individuals affected Paleopathology Frequency of adults affected, % for the total sample (n = 41) Osteoarthritis vertebras 12/ 29 Long bones 12/ 29 Clavicle, sternum, ribs 5/ 12 Sacrum, pelvis 6/ 15 Foot and hand bones 5/ 12 Sacrum, pelvis 6/ 15 Trauma: long bones, cranium 5/ 12 Periosteal reactions, osteomyelytis 7/ 17 Cribra orbitalia 5/ 12 Auditory exostoses 2/ 5

graphs with those of dry specimens. Fig. 10: caries and dental wear (right maxillary M1; wear grade 6; cusp pattern obliterated). Bar: 3 cm. Various forms of osteoarthritis: bony ankylosis of the seventh cervical and first thoracic, osteophyte formation and porosis of lumbars; and eburnation of left posterior, condylar region of femur can be seen in Figs 13, 14, 15. The osteoarthritis observed is age dependent- it is first observed in the beginning of the fourth decade. Fig. 16 (radiograph), and Figs 17 and 18 indicate osteoarthritis of the pubic symphysis. Figs 19 and 20 show the sacrum and pelvis of a female in her sixth decade affected by fusion of the 5th lumbar and 1st sacral vertebras, with calcified DISH aging (Diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis - dense calcification/ossification anterior to the vertebral bodies). In Figs 21, 22, and 23 there are the bones of a male in his sixth decade with trauma to the cranium (depressed fracture at lambda) and the mandible with loss of teeth Fig. 11: periodontal disease (incisors), calculus (incisors, canine), antemortem. Figs 24 (radiograph), 25, and 26 indicate a and dental hypoplasia (lateral incisor, canine). Bar: 2 cm. proximal fracture of the left femur. Note the extent of 90 Paleopathology and osteobiography of Peñuelas • MA Rosado, J Vernacchio-Wilson

Fig. 16: osteoarthritis of the pubic symphysis.

Fig. 13: bony ankylosis of seventh cervical and first thoracic vertebras. Bar: 1 cm.

Fig. 17: osteoarthritis of the pubic symphysis. Bar: 3 cm.

Fig. 14: lumbar osteophytes. Bar: 1 cm.

Fig. 18: osteoarthritis of the pubic symphysis (dorsal demiface and ventral rampart). Bar: 2 cm.

the callus in the radiograph and photo (the lesser tro- chanter is no longer visible). The fracture shortened the femur of this female in her sixth decade by 1.5 cm. The radiograph of a right thoracic rib of a male in his third decade displaying a perforation inside a benign tumor, post traumatic cyst, or chronic abscess are shown in Figs 27 and 28. Fig. 29 shows the left orbit with cribra Fig. 15: eburnation of femoral condyle. Bar: 2 cm. orbitalia of an adult female in her third decade. Fig. 30 is Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Vol. 101(Suppl. II), 2006 91

Fig. 19: fusion of the 5th lumbar and 1st sacral vertebra, with calcified DISH. Bar: 3cm.

Fig. 21: depressed fracture at lambda. Bar: 2cm.

Fig. 20: radiograph of fusion of the 5th lumbar and 1st sacral vertebra.

Fig. 22: depressed fracture at lambda. Bar: 2 cm. that of a male in his third decade with auditory exostoses of the right auditory meatus. The exostoses have restricted the meatus. 35) shows the femora and tibiae of a child 6-8 years of age. The long bones, in Figs 31 and 32, represent two adults The bones diplay Harris Lines, or transverse radiopaque in their third decade with periosteal reaction and osteo- lines- indication of stress during childhood. myelitis, of the tibial and femoral shafts, respectively. Figs The Peñuelas sample also offered the opportunity to 33 (radiograph) and 34 are those a female in her third de- determine the type and frequency of artificial cranial decade. She has on the right femur osteoarthritis of the knee formation (ACD). The types of ACD provided in Neumann joint, a healed fracture, and a cyst. The radiograph (Fig. (1942) were used to identify those in the Peñuelas 92 Paleopathology and osteobiography of Peñuelas • MA Rosado, J Vernacchio-Wilson

Fig. 23: ante mortem dental loss. Bar: 2 cm.

Fig. 25: proximal fracture of the left femur, anterior view. Bar: 2cm.

Fig. 24: radiograph of a proximal fracture of the left femur. sample. There are 32 complete adult crania in this sample. Of these 7 females and 5 males, or 37.5% of the sample (males and females combined), display ACD of the tabular erect type with the characteristic fronto- occipital flattening and lateral parietal bulges. Figs 36 and 37 display the sagittal views and superior view, re- Fig. 26: proximal fracture of the left femur, posterior view. Bar: 2cm. spectively, of an adult male’s skull affected by intentional cranial alteration. Note on the superior view the parietal bulges. grittiness introduced from the grinding of vegetable DISCUSSION foods. Mostly adults are affected and they display un- In the Peñuella sample there is moderate to severe even wear. There are no sexual differences in frequen- degree of dental wear. This is very likely related to con- cies of wear grade and the exposed dentine promoted sumptions of gritty marine foods (shellfish) and from abscess formation. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Vol. 101(Suppl. II), 2006 93

Fig. 27: right thoracic rib with a perforation inside a tumor, cyst, or abscess. Bar: 2 cm.

Fig 29: cribra orbitalia. Bar: 2 cm.

Fig. 28: radiograph of right thoracic rib.

The high frequencies of dental pathologies are very likely related to carbohydrates in the diet. The Diaguita were farmers who cultivated maize, squashes, and legumes (Ampuero 1989). There were no sexual differences observed in the frequency of dental paleopathologies. In regards to the cranial and postcranial paleopathologies observed, osteoarthritis has the highest frequency, it is age related, and the lumbar vertebras are the most affected. The trauma observed is found on crania and long bones with only adults affected. This is very likely related to the movement in rugged terrain and a maritime subsistence practice where people collected shellfish in tidal pools of a rocky littoral that promoted bone injuries Fig. 30: auditory exostoses. Bar: 2cm. due to falls. No sexual differences in frequencies of skeletal paleopathologies were observed. There is a low frequency of “occupational” paleopathologies such as auditory exostoses observed, and both males and females practiced ACD of the tabular erect type. We are interested in what the paleopathologies say about cultural and biological adaptations among prehistoric populations of Chile’s semiarid littoral. This will help us to better understand the impact on health from the adoption of farming and a pastoral subsistence observed Fig. 31: periosteal reaction of the tibia (lateral view). Bar: 2cm. 94 Paleopathology and osteobiography of Peñuelas • MA Rosado, J Vernacchio-Wilson

Fig. 32: osteomyelitis of the femur (anterior view). Bar: 2 cm.

Fig. 34: osteoarthritis of the knee joint with a healed fracture, and cyst. Bar: 1 cm.

Fig. 33: radiograph of osteoarthritis of the knee joint with a healed fracture. in the formative period of this region starting at around 1500 years ago. With the information on preservation status we can continue to develop better conservation mea- sures to protect and conserve the skeletal remains for future and on-going bio-archaeological analyses. The next step in the bioarchaeology analyses is to document the paleopathologies at the microscopic level (see Fig. 38). Fig. 35: Harris lines. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Vol. 101(Suppl. II), 2006 95

Fig 38: ten times magnification of periosteal reaction of the tibia (medial surface). Bar: 1610.0 µm (1.6 mm).

REFERENCES Ampuero G 1989. La cultura Diaguita chilena. In Hidalgo J, Fig. 36: sagittal view of artificial cranial deformation. Note the flattening of the occipital portion of the cranium. Bar: 3 cm. Schiappacasse V, Niemeyer H, Aldunate A, Solimano I (eds), Prehistoria, Editorial Andress Bello, Santiago, Chile, p. 277- 287. Bass W 1995. Human Osteology, Special Publication No.4 of the Missouri Archaeological Society, Columbia, Missouri. Biskupovic M 1982. Excavaciones arqueológicas en la Parcela No. 21 de Penuelas-Coquimbo, Chile. Actas IX Congr Arqueol Bol Mus Arqueol de La Serena 18: 240-248. Biskupovic M 1999. Excavación arqueológico en la planta Pisco Control. El Limari y sus Valles. Rev Est Prov 1: 1-6. Cohen MN, Armelagos GJ 1984. Paleopathology at the Origins of Agriculture, Academic Press, New York. Mays S 2000. The Archaeology of Human Bone, Routledge, London, New York. Neumann GK 1942. Types of artificial cranial deformation in the Eastern United States. Am Antiquity 7: 306-310. Ortner DJ, Putschar GJ 1985. Identification of Pathological Conditions in Human Skeletal Remains, Smith Inst Press, Washington. Roberts C, Manchester K 1999. The Archaeology of Disease. Cornell University Press, Ithaca, New York. Rosado MA1994. Health and Diet of Two Prehistoric Popula- tions from Chile’s Semiarid North, PhD Thesis, Depart- ment of Anthropology, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey.

Fig. 37: superior view of artificial cranial deformation. Note the Rosado MA 1998. Dental health and diet of two prehistoric parietal bulges. Bar: 3 cm. populations from Chile’s semiarid North. Dental Anthropol 13: 2-8. Schmucker BJ 1985. Dental attrition: a correlative study of dietary and subsistence patterns in California and New This not only will help us to better understand how dis- Mexico Indians. In CF Merbs, RJ Miller (eds), Health and ease affects bone tissue but also to better diagnose dis- Disease in the Prehistoric Southwest, Arizona State ease. Univesity Archaeological University Paper No. 34. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Swedlund AC, Armelagos GJ 1990. Disease in Populations in Transition, Bergin and Garbey, New York. To the Museo Arqueologico de La Serena, La Serena, Chile for their professional support and to Dr Morrie Kricun, of the Steele D G, Bramblett C A 1988. The Anatomy and Biology of University of Pennsylvania, for providing the radiograph diag- the Human Skeleton, Texas A & M University Press, Col- noses for the bone pathologies. lege Station, TX.